Sunderland owner Ellis Short ends takeover talks

Sunderland owner Ellis Short has shelved takeover talks after deciding a sale “would not be in the best interests” of the club.

Minutes after Preston announced that the Black Cats had been given permission to speak to Simon Grayson about the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland released a statement confirming that talks with potential buyers had come to an end and that Short will remain at the helm.

The statement said: “Recently, we informed supporters that discussions were taking place with parties who had expressed an interest in acquiring ownership of Sunderland AFC. Subsequently, more detailed talks were held over the last week with one of these groups.

Sunderland released a statement confirming that talks with potential buyers had come to an end and that Short will remain at the helm (Andrew Matthews/PA)